Franks posted a video on the Hollyoaks DocYou site discussing the storyline, which saw the show team up with BeatBullying.

"People that I've spoken to with regards to the storyline, people that have been bullied, one thing that's the same in every single one of their stories is it got a hell of a lot easier when they told someone about it," she said.

"Even if it was someone that they didn't know. If you are being bullied and you do feel quite lonely I'd definitely go and check that out and have a look online."

Speaking of Esther's ordeal, she added: "It's like no escape - she has to deal with what people are doing in college then as soon as she goes home, as soon as she looks at her computer or turns on her phone, people are writing comments.